Dubai Summer Camps: What's On & What's Not?

Working out how to fill your child’s time this summer will now be on the minds of many UAE parents. We recently shared with the you the best virtual, at home summer camps, but we know that for many families a break from screen time is much needed for their children. 

So, what are the options? Well, there appears to be a small but growing number of camps advertised.  That said, it has come to our notice that some camp providers are advertising their services prior to receiving the necessary permissions from the authorities. Whilst is may be that these permissions come into effect before the camp commences, we advise parents to do their due diligence and not to make payment before satisfying themselves that the camp is permitted to run.

Typically, camps will either be licensed by the Dubai Sports Council or the KHDA. The guidance appears to move as fast as the situation, but at the time of writing, the Dubai Sports Council is, we understand, only permitting camps which children attend for 60 minutes of sports training per day. Not quite the day long hours of childcare that working parents might have hoped for!  Some camps that have previously been advertised have now been cancelled.  Again, we advise that you proceed with caution.

The KHDA are giving permission for camps to run on a school by school basis, so again, we advise you to make contact with them directly before proceeding with a booking.

Once you are satisfied that the camp is properly licensed, we also advise you to check both the regular and covid19 safety precautions thoroughly. We suggest you ask:

• Will staff be wearing masks?
• How will sanitisation take place?
• Will temperatures be taken on arrival?
• How will social distancing be ensured?
• What are the group sizes?
• How will food be served and where will the children eat?

LIVE Summer Camps - two fun options in Dubai

With those several notes of caution made, here are some great options for your children this summer…

Name: Ecoventure Multi Activity Camp
Description:
Multi-Activity Camp. The programme incorporates an extensive variety of activities. Options such as climbing, archery, pool games, kayaking, fun science experiments, performing arts, arts and crafts, team-building challenges, sensory trails, baking, STEM challenges, sports, dodgeball, mixed sports and games, martial arts and much much more. For ages 3 to 12 years old.
Engineering and Multi-activity Camp. This camp is split into two themes, 50% dedicated to exciting Multi-Activities and a half dedicated to engineering projects and challenges. The engineering side of the camp introduces students to the engineering world, sparking their interest in different engineering fields and will help them improve and develop many skills. Students will work on one main project for the week, where they will take an engineering journey from understanding and designing their projects to building and testing them. The students will also compete in daily engineering challenges where they will compete in teams, and receive prizes. Each day will include two Engineering sessions and two Multi-Activity sessions. (N.b. the engineering camp is for ages 5 to 12 years and available only at Kings’ School Dubai & Kings’ School Nad Al Sheba).
Location: Kings' School Dubai, Kings' School Nad Al Sheba and Kings' School Al Barsha
Age Group: 3years to 12 years old
Dates: 04/07/20-29/08/20
Fees: AED 875 for the week
Website: http://kings-edu.com/albarsha/holiday-camps/
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: 0543351176

Name: Summer Playcation 
Description: Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club will offer an all-day summer camp, featuring swimming, cookery classes, painting, little princess beauty classes, gardening, board games, fitness and even some lessons in managing the horse’s stables.  The camp promises to be packed with fun activities following the safety guidelines issued by the authorities.
Host: Dubai Polo & Equestrian Club
Age: 4 – 12 years old
Dates: Weekly from July – August 2020
Fees: 8.00 AM - 3.00 PM - AED 699 (week) AED 180 (daily)
8.00 AM - 5.00 PM - AED 999 (week) AED 240 (daily)
Website: www.poloclubdubai.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone Number: +971 4 3618111
Social Media: @poloclubdubai

If you are running a summer camp, and want the UAE to know, then send the details - in the format used here (otherwise it may not get published) - to our senior editor, Jenny, at [email protected]